Golden State Warriors rally past Minnesota Timberwolves

OAKLAND -- The Warriors had five players in double-figures as they rallied from behind to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 96-85 on Saturday at Oracle Arena.

Point guard Stephen Curry and forward Carl Landry combined for 14 points in the fourth quarter to help Golden State (8-6) win for the fifth time in its last seven games. The Warriors now get four days off before three more home games.

Golden State is now 2-0 against Minnesota this season. Unlike when the teams met Nov. 16, the Timberwolves had All-Star power forward Kevin Love, bruising center Nikola Pekovic and backup guard J.J. Barea in the lineup.

Curry finished with 20 points and six assists. Landry had 18 points and nine rebounds off the bench. They led a 22-6 run to put the Timberwolves away.

The Warriors trailed 79-74 with just over 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. They got a boost from rookie forward Draymond Green, who scored consecutive layups. After a free throw by rookie forward Harrison Barnes tied the game, Landry gave the Warriors an 81-79 lead with a hook in the lane.

Curry then found Barnes for a fast-break dunk, then followed three possessions later with a 3-pointer that put Golden State ahead 86-79 inside of six minutes left.

A layup by Love stopped the Warriors' run at 12-0, but Golden State tacked on seven more, capped with another hook inside by Landry. The Warriors had their largest lead of the game, 93-81, with just over two minutes left.

The pep in the step Golden State had in the fourth quarter contradicted the relatively listless way it played most of the game. The Warriors trailed 74-70 entering the fourth quarter.

The biggest problem was the Warriors offense. Golden State shot just 42.5 percent from the field through three quarters, including just 5 of 18 from 3-point range. Their 10 turnovers to that point helped Minnesota take 16 more shots than the Warriors the first 26 minutes.

The only Warriors who seemed to have it going were Lee and Thompson. Lee was 6 of 12 from the field with 15 points, matching Love blow-for-blow. Thompson had a game-high 24 points through three quarters despite missing seven of his eight attempts from 3-point range.

What kept the Warriors, who trailed by as much as 11, close to the Timberwolves was their ability to get to the line. Golden State was 19 of 22 from the free-throw line entering the fourth quarter and finished 24 for 29.

Golden State officials said center Andrew Bogut will practice Monday. He hasn't played since Nov. 7 because of problems with his surgically repaired left ankle.

Bogut's return will be based on how he progresses in practice over the Warriors' three days off, or if he can even practice full tilt.

Barnes submitted an entry for the dunk of the year. With just over two minutes left in the second quarter, Lee had the ball in the post. Barnes, from the perimeter, darted down the middle of the lane. He received a pass from Lee and took off, throwing down a one-hand tomahawk over Pekovic -- who had rotated over in time to defend, but Barnes powered through his block attempt.

Barnes took a moment to stare down Pekovic. It was certainly the most impressive dunk by a Warrior since guard Monta Ellis was traded last season.

The Warriors entered the game fifth in the NBA in rebounding at 45.8 boards per game. They haven't averaged as many since they pulled down 46.7 per game in 2002-03.